Lu Chen said no more and turned to leave. After taking only a few steps, Li Hansong's voice suddenly came from behind him:
"Benefactor, this disciple has something to tell you."
Lu Chen stopped and looked back.
Li Hansong hesitated, then said in a low voice, "While this disciple was possessed by that evil thing, I occasionally sensed some of its... thoughts. It seemed extremely wary of you, Benefactor, yet it was also plotting something major."
"What major matter?"
"This disciple does not know." Li Hansong shook his head. "But in its delirium, that evil thing once muttered words like 'dragon vein,' 'key,' and 'the true body descends.' This disciple boldly guesses that its true body may be seeking some way to descend into the human world completely."
Lu Chen's gaze sharpened.
He recalled the avatar suppressed beneath Dragon Head Peak, the avatar in the Northern Frontier ruins that was about to break free, and the remnant soul sealed within the ancient tomb—
Could all of these have been moves laid out by the Undead Monarch for the descent of its true body?
"I understand." He nodded to Li Hansong. "Take care of yourself."
With that, his figure flashed and vanished into the dense forest.
Li Hansong remained kneeling where he was, staring at the retreating figure in silence for a long time.
After a long while, he slowly rose and gave a deep bow toward the southeast. Then he turned and walked in the opposite direction.
By the time the Vermilion Bird Boat descended at the Ironblood Horse Grounds, it was already noon the following day.
Lu Chen leaped down from the prow. He had barely put away the Vermilion Bird Boat when Mo Qianqiu hurried over, his expression far more grave than usual.
"Duke, you've finally returned."